Term Paper on "Medical Anthropology"

Quoted Instructions for "Medical Anthropology" Assignment:

Need an Annotated Bibliography in Chicago/AAA style/format.

Have specific sources already which I wish to use.

Topic: Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Altshuler, L. (2004). BALANCED HEALING: Combining Modern Medicine & Safe & Effective Alternative Therapies, National Book Network.

A reference guide for anyone who wants to take advantage of alternative healing methods, without giving up the high-tech benefits of modern medicine. Divided into two sections, the first part of the book addresses what experiences one might encounter from either conventional and alternative medicine. This is done via comparison of advantages, issues, benefits and risks of both approaches. The second section within the book, serves as a desk reference for most common ailments with corresponding treatment protocols for each. Very detailed with step-by-step application possibilities for the use of both treatment options to maximize benefits of blending both.

Baer, H. A. (2001). Biomedicine and Alternative Healing Systems in America: Issues of Class, Race, Ethnicity, and Gender. U. o. W. Press: +222.

This book explores dimensions of medical pluralism in the United States between 19th-20th centuries. Argument presented that both private corporations and government agencies have allowed biomedicine to dominate the existing Health care alternatives, beginning in the early years of the 20th century.

Baer, H. A. (2003). "The Work of Andrew Weil and Deepak Chopra - Two Holistic/New Age Gurus: A Critique of the Holistic/New Age Movements." Medical Anthropology Quarterly 17(2): 233-250.

Two biomedically trained physicians have emerged as visible and financially successful spokespersons of the Holistic/New Age medical Movements. This article examines how their exposures have impacted other practitioners and how they are ultimately perceived and accepted.

Brady, E., Ed. (2001). Healing Logics: Culture and Medicine in Modern Health Belief Systems. Utah, Utah State University Press.

Within this book, can be found a compilation of essays discussing the rich diversity of health belief systems across a variety of cultures. The introduction by Erika Brady, elegantly weaves together an interdiciplinary tapestry which travels in and out through folklore and medicine.

Elling, R. H. (1981). "Introduction: Relations between traditional and modern medical systems." Social Science and Medicine 15A(2): 87-88.

Medical pluralism from a sociological perspective. Addressing the use of medicine by Western governments as a means of social control. The relationships between medical approaches and the political and economic structure of nations/countries are primary themes for Elling within this article. Quality Control, patient care issues surrounding trust, as well as the changing face of developing countries and how the health care systems are managed depending on available viability of resources affects the type of care received by the people in those regions.

Fadlon, J. (2005). Negotiating the Holistic Turn: The Domestication of Alternative Medicine, State University of New York Press: 176.

Fadlon introduces the term (NCM) non conventional medicine, to discuss Alternative and Complementary Medical Therapies. Public demand has increased the popularity and integration of NCM. Once considered an anti-establishment outsider by those who exclussively embraced the standard practice of traditional medicine, NCM's popularity and accesibility has continued to grow as more and more information regarding treatments has been made available. This is what she refers to in in making mention of "the Domestication" . When the previously considered foreign practice, becomes something familiar and even common place.

Johannessen, H. (2005). Multiple Medical Realities: Patients And Healers in Biomedical, Alternative And Traditional Medicine, Berghahn Books.

A collection of articles exploring medical pluralism and bodily experiences from a global perspective. Healing and the Mind Body connections are an underlying and constant theme. As the phycicality of illness is discussed, so are emotional and psychological components. Each culture and belief system having that commonality. The inherent need to treat body and mind together.

Judd, S. (2006). Complementary and Alternative Medicine Sourcebook. Complementary and Alternative Medicine Sourcebook. Detroit, MI, Omnigraphics Inc.

The Complementary and Alternative Medicine Sourcebook offers basic consumer information about complementary and alternative medical therapies including accupuncture, ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine, herbal medicine, homeopathy, naturopathy, biofeedback, hypnotherapy, yoga, art therapy, gastrointestinal disorders, etc. Itlso includes resource lists for additional help and information. In a nutshell, and at your fingertips information.

Kassirer, M. A. (1998). "Alternative Medicine - The Risks of Untested and Unregulated Remedies." New England Journal of Medicine 339(12): 839-841.

Offers a collection of articles exploring what sets apart alternative medicine from traditional or "ordinary" medicine. The set of articles also set forth the need for more scientific research to be done, surrounding the effects of alternative therapies. And cautions against the unregulated and therefor lack of need for certification or documentation of practitioners. Overall it does bring to light the need for further understanding and cooperation between modalities of practice.

Longe, J. L. (2005). The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine.

The Gale Encyclopedia is beautifully illustrated and organized. Sharing articles from prominent health practitioners and referensing therapies, remedies and common medical diseases and conditions. The encyclopedia lists Therapies by origin, general benefits, precautions or contraindications, etc. Herbal remedies are described for general use, method of preparation, precautions, possible side effects, etc. and Diseases and conditions are discussed by definition, description, causes and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, etc. By avoiding the typical medical jargon, this encyclopedia serves as a great resource which anyone could access and benefit from.

Larry Trivieri, T. A. H. M. A. (2001). The American Holistic Medical Association Guide to Holistic Health: Healing Therapies for Optimal Wellness, Wiley: 448.

Providing an overview of modalities and their respective applications by highlighting unifying themes and distinctive features of health systems around the world and through different ages. The book reviews, Nutritional Medicine, Environmental Medicine, Mind-Body Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, Chiropractic, Botanical Medicine, and Bodywork/Massage among many, many others. Another fascinating book, but unlike the encyclopedic texts which have been mentioned in previous annotations, this book is not only informative but it delivers a hands on approach for either someone who is interested in taking responsibility for their own health or as a resource to professional practitioners who want to research and learn basic forms of treatment as stepping-stone to explore future treatment options for their patients.

Marilyn Sclitz, M. S. M., Tina Amorok, Tina ion Micozzi (2005). Consciousness and Healing: Integral Approaches to Mind-Body Medicine, Churchill Livingstone.

Collection of essays which focus on belief systems and healing. Contrary to the typical approach of compartmentalizing disease and medical treatment, this approach deals with the emotional, physical and spiritual aspects of individuals and how those connections assist in their experience and treatment of diseases. Learning from emerging leaders in the field of integral medicine and consciousness research, this book offers a comprehensive view on a very complex set of issues and approaches each from multidisciplinary, multidimensional and scientific perspectives.

Matthew Schneirov, J. D. G. (2003). A Diagnosis for Our Times: Alternative Health, from Lifeworld to Politics, State University ofNew Yrok Press.

This book examines the health regimes followed by clients of alternative practitioners, the way in which people find meaning and the relationship between alternative health and other movements for change. The authors evaluate the potential for alternative healthcare practices to create a shift in the overall healthcare paradigm by creating or contributing to higher social/cultural awareness and involvement.

Medicine, N. C. f. C. a. A. (2000). Expanding Horizons of Healthcare: five-year strategic plan, 2001-2005, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). N. I. o. Health. Gaithersburg, Maryland, U.S. Department of Health and human Services, Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health: 44.

In this report, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) outline the first ever, five-year-strategic plan covering years 2000-2005. Consisting of four major sections: 1) case for action, 2) future directions, 3) the strategic plan itself, 4) and appendices. The report places majority of concentration on the strategic plan outlines in which the mission and vision of the NCCM are discussed at length. Strategic areas include: research, training of CAM investigators, expanding outreach, and facilitating of integration.

Micozzi, M. S. (2002). "Culture, Anthropology and the Return of "Complementary Medicine"." Medical Anthropology Quarterly: 398-414.

Micozzi delivers, that Alternative medicine and Biomedicine can be better understood by utilizing Anthropology and Social sciences in unraveling the limitations of the current biomedical model and by adding observations brought to the forefront from cross-cultural and diverse perspectives. Micozzi, a phycisian-anthropologist works to create science-based tools for health professionals to be better informed and productively engaged in the new and emerging fields of complementary and alternative (CAM) medicines. By fosterring communication and cooperation between the two.

O'Connor, B. B. (1994). Healing Traditions: Alternative Medicine and Health Professions (Studies in Health, Illness, and Caregiving), University of Pennsylvania Press.

Blair-O'Connor discusses healing belief systems and the relevance these have on affecting therapies and treatment outcomes. By providing a thorough look at the care, compassion and understanding necessary to effectively gain trust, respect and affect those being cared for. It is through this careful observation and respect of various belief systems that we may be able to find common ground, in addressing specific needs.

Ruggie, M. (2004). Marginal to Mainstream: Alternative Medicine in America, Cambridge University Press.

The focus of this book is the integration of therapies between Complementary and Alternative and Biomedicine. In a newly emerging field of Integrative medicine, which combines elements of each(CAM and Biomedicine) in paving the way for legitimate and effective practices. Funding by the National Institutes of Health, is leading to research which will assist in determining which therapies have high efficacy and which bring up issues of safety and inefficacy of others.

Snow, L. F. (1998). Walkin' Over Medicine. Detroit, Wayne State University Press. A405.

Ethnographic study of Health beliefs within African American, "traditional medicine." Based on community-based studies in Arizona and Michigan over a period of twenty years, Snow took time to get to know the people he was working with, developed life long friendships and had a deep understanding of these communities and their folklore.

Tovey, P. (2004). The Mainstreaming of Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Studies in Social Context, ROutledge.

This book discusses the Social context of CAM. it is said that, the Complementary and Alternative Medicinal movement functions on two levels. 1) first level functions as an interest group, that lobbies for reform, informing the public, developing coalitions among many players. 2) the second level, functions as a subculture. Very much alienated from the standards of biomedicine and behaving as a somewhat disenfranchised and bastard child. A very informative look at, the social forces at play in the integration of CAM with traditional medicine.

Waldram, J. B. (2000). "The Efficacy of Traditional Medicine: Current Theoretical and Methodological Issues." Medical Anthropology Quarterly Dec 14(4): 603-605.

This article critically examines biases inherent in the utilization of biomedical practices, understanding and methods and how these differ greatly from the evaluation and validation of those of Complementary and Alternative Medical (CAM ) therapies and practices.

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